A value-based evaluation of cefazolin and vancomycin for prosthetic joint infection prophylaxis in total hip arthroplasty

The per-patient cost associated with vancomycin PJI prophylaxis is 164% higher than that associated with cefazolin due to increased cost of primary treatment, labor costs associated with prolonged infusion time, and most importantly differential PJI rates (number needed to treat = 1.39). In an era of value-based care, the use of cefazolin has been consistently shown to be the gold standard for THA PJI prophylaxis and is associated with significant cost advantages.